One year later: Abbey D ’Agostino reflects on her Olympic moment

It’s August during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Abbey D’Agostino is a runner in the 5,000-meter preliminary heat. She smiles and waves at the camera as it pans in front of the participants at their starting blocks — a positive, self-assured smile that stands out amongst the competitive grimaces around her. In this moment, she is where all track and field athletes aspire to be — at the pinnacle of their sport in an Olympic stadium. From injured to inspired With about a mile to go in the event, Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand is running in front of D’Agostino when she stumbles and falls. Abbey has no time to avoid her, and trips, unknowingly tearing the ACL, MCL and meniscus in her right knee. Her first reaction isn’t to lie on the ground or grab her leg in pain. Instead, she immediately pushes herself to her feet and checks to see if Hamblin — still on the ground — is OK. Abbey helps Nikki to her feet, urging her to finish the race. Both athletes continue running, now with little hope of placing near the top. Abbey would fall again, but this time Hamblin would be there to help her up and encourage her to keep going. Neither runner would finish close to the eventual winner, but that’s not what mattered. The loud cheers that met D’Agostino at the finish line would be proof of this, along with the hug both Abbey and Nikki shared after the race had ended. At this point, it wasn’t about winning or losing — it was about the perseverance, ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories ACL injury ACL injury prevention ACL surgery Dr. Mininder Kocher Sports Medicine Division Source Type: news